The Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO)/Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO)/State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (Full Committee) will hold a 2-day meeting beginning on June 10, 2013 and ending
June 11, 2013. The meeting will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. The meeting will be held at EPA, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 1st Floor South Conference Room, 2777 Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. One of the issues discussed is Status of pollinator protection issues policy development.

EPA’s ESA pesticides website explains that EPA is working with NMFS, FWS and the Department of Agriculture to implement the findings of the recent NAS report on ESA consultations for pesticides. EPA’s website states:

“On April 30, 2013, the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council (NRC) released their recommendations for assessing risks from pesticides to listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service appreciate the comprehensive report provided by the Academy.

EPA requests comments on NMFS’ May 01, 2013 Draft Biological Opinion under the Endangered Species Act issued for Propargite, Fenbutatin Oxide and Diflubenzuron. Comments are due to EPA by May 31, 2013. EPA deserves credit for requesting comments on draft BiOps because NMFS usually doesn’t. Click here to view draft BiOp and for more information on commenting.

Under the US Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the
National Marine Fisheries Service are responsible for designating species as endangered or threatened and ensuring that federal actions do not adversely affect listed species. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the US Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for registering pesticides and ensuring that pesticides do not cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment, which includes listed species. EPA, FWS, NMFS, and the US Department of Agriculture asked the National Research Council to examine scientific and technical issues related to determining risks to species that are listed under the ESA posed by pesticides that are registered under FIFRA. The NAS report on these issues is available by clicking here.